AIBU to think the current Queen has been a mediocre to poor Monarch?

[ComposHat]

Anyone else think all the praise lavished on her is undue? We are all told that she has done a 'good job' but has she really? The servile media, including the supposedly balanced BBC won't broker any attempts to criticise her in any way. We are simply told that she has been 'beyond reproach.'

I'd argue that she's been a dull and unimaginative Monarch, clinging to hidebound tradition and fighting to preserve arcane privileges like a Royal Yacht (actually a mini cruise liner) and resisting paying tax on her income. At crucial moments in her reign she's dallied and shown weak leadership.

On her watch the monarchy has at best stagnated and at worst slipped into an inexorable decline and has begun to feel like an anachronism.

I'll venture that history will not judge her as kindly as all these fawning contemporary commentators do. Her reign will be seen as the point at which the rot set in.

[Figgygal]

Yabu massively she has devoted her life to her country!!!

I love her!!

[papooshka]

Yabvu

[DizzyKipper]

That's an interesting post. I feel quite ignorant as I'm wondering what do our monarchs actually DO, and what are they supposed to do? I know at times she's honoured people for various achievements, and no doubt has been used a political tool. But what else? I'm looking forward to what will hopefully be an elucidating thread.

[MaisyMooCow]

YABU, I was only thinking the other day how good she's been.

[MaisyMooCow]

They support lots of charities.

[MaisyMooCow]

Good point Flick

[Northey]

What do you think she should have done that she hasn't?

The monarchy doesn't feel like an anachronism to me.

[Magneto]

Interesting thread, to those saying YABU, what has she done that is so good?

[AmazingBouncingFerret]

Off with your head!

[BackforGood]

YABVU. She's been an excellent and devoted servant to her country.

[NadiaWadia]

Sadly, I think you may be right, ComposHat. In her determination to remain neutral and follow protocol she comes across as completely colourless, whatever she may be like in her private life. A dull monarch.

[MrsTerryPratchett]

I support loads of charities. No one is throwing me a party.

[ajandjjmum]

The Monarchy has updated hugely during her watch. They communicate in a much more open fashion now, and you can hardly call the media servile when they're printing front page gossip about various members of her family.

She was the one who instigated tax payments - she was not forced into it.

I have no problem with people not liking the Monarchy, or agreeing with the concept, but at least get your facts straight.

[FunnysInLaJardin]

I love the Queen. Stop being such a meanie. She's 87 you know.

[Itsjustafleshwound]

But isn't the fact that she has been around for 60 years and hasn't irked too many parties just underlines what a good job she has done.

Her children's and relations acts just underlines what a good role model she is ...

[EldritchCleavage]

On her watch the monarchy has at best stagnated and at worst slipped into an inexorable decline and has begun to feel like an anachronism

Hahaha. How is monarchy not an anachronism in this day and age? Of course it is an anachronism-nothing to do with the incumbent.

I think (speaking as republican) Brenda has got it right, broadly. The last thing any democracy needs is an activist monarch. That is not what they should be doing, and the reason why I dread Charles becoming King, with his pretensions to intellectualism and various hobby horses.

[civilfawlty]

Agree with OP

[OTheHugeManatee]

YABU. The whole point of the monarchy is maintaining traditions. What do you expect her to do, learn breakdancing?

[betty10k]

Yes YABU!

[Adayforthinking]

A while I go I would have thought that you weren't being unreasonable, until I watched that BBC Series on the Queen earlier in the year.

I actually have a new-found respect for her after seeing that. When I look at the itinerary that she has on a daily basis, I have no idea how she keeps going at her age! But she does. Day after day.

I don't know that Charles will cope quite as well (although I'm quite happy for him to give it a go) but William and Kate will I'm sure!